The series concludes the first part of its 12th season Friday, August 1 (10:00-11:00 p.m. live ET/tape-delayed PT), with a replay at 11:00 p.m., exclusively on HBO. Maher begins with his opening monologue, following with roundtable discussions with panelists, and interviews with guests.

Political activist Ralph Nader is the top-of-show interview guest. The roundtable guests are author Douglas Brinkley, deputy chief of staff to the House Majority Leader Doug Heye and Rep. Barbara Lee (Cal.).

The show – recently nominated for a Primetime Emmy® in the category of Outstanding Variety Series – goes on hiatus after this week’s show, resuming the season from Washington, D.C. Sept. 12 at a special time (9:00-10:00 live ET/tape-delayed PT), immediately followed by the new standup special “Bill Maher: Live from D.C.” (10:00-11:00 p.m. live ET/tape-delayed PT).

Bill Maher headlined his first special on the network in 1989 and has starred in nine solo specials to date, including the hour-long presentations “Bill Maher…But I’m Not Wrong,” “The Decider” and “I’m Swiss” (both nominated for an Emmy® in the Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special category), “Victory Begins at Home,” “Be More Cynical,” “The Golden Goose Special” and “Stuff That Struck Me Funny,” and two half-hour stand-up specials, plus the specials “30 Seconds Over Washington” and “Comic Relief VI™.” Maher is also an executive producer of the innovative news magazine show “VICE,” which concluded its second season on HBO earlier this year and returns in 2015.

The series was renewed for a 13th season of 35 editions, to begin in Jan. 2015.